60 Green Stocking Stuffers for Kids

In my family, we make amazing Christmas stockings (or Santa does). We take gifting very seriously, but I didn't realize how good my Dad is at this very particular type of giving until I was an adult. The key is to use magazine to make the whole thing taller and to have lots of silly things in the stocking.

 I love a great stocking, so even though the plan is to cut down the gift-buying in our household by A LOT, I would never cut the stocking. In fact, this year my plan is to do no more than four gifts and a stocking. That's it.

For kids, you can fill a stocking with cute little toys and treats that might be surprise hits for the holiday. I try to master that balance between cheap but practical items like socks or nail clippers (my Mother in Law's genius addition every year) and super fun kitschy items (usually random finds at target).

I stand by this equation, but the problem here is that when you are hanging out in the "cheap junk" aisle at Target, you certainly aren't being a good steward. That stuff is often so cheap because it is made somewhere where the person making it is treated very poorly. It's often made of plastic, and it has traveled a long way, wasting fossil fuels, for basically no reason. So triple whammy against my beloved stocking stuff. So I have started to approach it a new way.

Last year, I tried to do this, and I had a lot of successes. I am pretty sure we still took a last minute run to Target to fill out the goodies. Having done this once already, I am confident that isn't necessary, and I am pretty excited to do an all-ethical stocking this year.

Even better, I don't have to break the bank. Everything on this list is under 15 dollars! 

 One of the most common complaints lodged against Eco-friendly and Made in America Products is that they are too expensive, so people only think about greener options when they will make a BIG difference! But anyone's who has ever been on a successful diet can tell you, small changes can make the largest difference if you stick with them! So maybe this isn't the same super cheap, kitschy toy that lined our stockings before, but you can find equally fun, strange, and hilarious stuff without ever feeling like an eco-terrorist. Even a few switches out can make a big impact!

You can find toys that are plenty affordable made right here in the US. I am excited to try to load that sock with gifts that do good but don't break the bank.

Three Steps to an Awesome Kids Stocking

1. Get Things Used- I have never bought Christmas gifts used before, but I am going for it this year, especially with our Bub, who could care less whether something is new or used. My favorite for this is the mixed toy bags at Goodwill. We already bought most of the Bub's filler with two bags of Duplos. Why do people buy duplos new?

I can find so many cute toys in consignment stores, not to mention practical things like socks or hats! If you spend 2 dollars on a little toy or stuffed animal you can clean, that beats anything you will buy new! A trip to a kids consignment store or Goodwill can check off most of your boxes immediately.

2. Buy American, Eco-friendly, or Fair Trade- THIS. This change in priorities can ripple out to make a better world for the kid you fill the stocking for. That's more important than anything you can give. Look at the challenge to find these things as fun instead of intimidating- this is why we start early!

3. Re-think your Regular Candy Choices- This deserves its own post, but you might try to support some local candy before you do the same old from Hershey's (I want to love them, but I just can't anymore). You can find cool stuff right under your nose! Chocolate is an especially hot button topic for treats, so check with your local candy store and think about buying some fair trade chocolate.

Alright, let's get to the links-

I am coming up with a shorthand so you can get the information you want fast. This is the key:
The key- USA= Made in the USA, GU= Get this Used, EF- Eco-Friendly, R=Recycled Materials, Fair Trade= FT

I wouldn't expect anyone to buy everything on this list, but the key is to notice you have TONS of options. You can get anything- from super fun to completely practical- made ethically, in the United States, and with good stewardship for the environment!

Bath Toys

1. Bath Crayons (USA)- BeeUtifully Organic makes organic bath crayons that will make such for such a fun time! I want to play with these. Messy Play Kits or Krazy Kool Kits sell bath crayons too.

from Lotsaduck

2. Rubber Duckies (USA)- Everyday when I make my way to the tubbie! I find a little fellow who's cute and yellow and chubby! Lotsaduck is based out of Pittsburgh and has all sorts of adorable rubber duckies- sadly, they are closing, but you can get a good deal there right now. Celebriducks has a line of Made in the USA ducks (a little on the nose with the signage though). We bought The Bub the very simple yellow version, and it continues to be a big hit.

from Cozy Chipmunk

3. Washcloths and Puppets (USA)- These Huggable Hoots puppets look super cute and you can stuff them into a stocking easily. It might be a perfect combination of fun and practical. I also love this simple Crocodile washcloth. You can also try Granny's Craftiness or Stockings by Pat.

If you are crafty (and quick), there are some great patterns on Etsy for this kind of thing as well.

from Southern Skye Beauty

4. Fun bars of Soap (USA) - I get that soap as a gift sounds lame, but I think cool soap could be a big hit.  My favorites are these dinosaur soaps from Southern Skye Beauty. I also found mermaid soap, bath crayon soap, game controllers (check out this whole shop- looks cool!), lego soap, and because the world is wonderful macaroni and cheese soap.

Begin Again on Amazon

5. Begin Again Bathtub Toys (EF)- These bath toys are made of rubber, so no plastic, and they are dishwasher safe to make it easy on you. Also, the deep sea diver is just cool. The company is based out of Fort Collins Colorado, but I am not convinced they are actually made there.

For the Especially Little People

from the ivy lantern

6. Bibs (USA)- Your baby is so smart. But not smart enough to be disappointed when you just buy a bunch of things you need and stuff it in a stocking for their first Christmas. Bibs make for a perfect bottom layer (since it's probably too soon for candy).  Swaddle Designs makes cute inexpensive ones as well. If you want to do something a little more trendy, these super cute (and usefully neutral) bandana bibs from The Ivy Lantern. There are about 4 million bibs on Etsy so you can find what you want, but here is another long list to browse- Organic Mama Design, The Pleated Petal, Le Petite Birdie, and Bananas Boutique.

7. Feeder (USA)- These chewy feeders are so helpful when you start baby on solids or when they start to teeth (ice or frozen fruit inside and let them gnaw). May not be a regular purchase, but a nice little splurge for a stocking!

from amazon

8. First Set of Keys (R, EF, USA)- Both Green Toys and Re-play sell sets of all recycled plastic key rings. The Bub loves his; they are really good to shake. These are pretty cheap, made in the USA, and use recycled materials; I don't understand why anyone would buy other sets!

9. Jumbo Beads (USA)- Another Classic for babies, this Holgate toy helps them string beads and work on that hand eye coordination. This has been made here in the US since 1948! Also, it is awesome for an airplane time-passing toy.

10. Link Toys (USA)- Boomering Links are a perfect toy for anybody under 2. Simple often entertains them longer, and these links can easily be thrown in a purse, brought on a plane, or strewn through a car seat. Great toy and super cheap.

11. Onesies (USA)- You could get a funny or special onesie you might not splurge on otherwise.  My favorites are from Honest Elements and Jam Jam Jams. I love this Parks and Rec one from Baby Swag (out of Butler,PA!), but you should poke around on Etsy and get something that makes you smile or laugh. You can also check out buggy and bubba, Little Jonesies, and The Little Stork.

from Little Sidekick

12. Soft Blocks (USA)- Tactile soft blocks give the baby a well-rounded sensory experience. My bub loved toys like these, but you can get ones for the same amount as in the stores on Etsy, and you will be supporting a local maker instead of a big corporation. Woot! Arrows and Olives Baby sells cost-effective and pretty ones. My favorite are these high contrast ones from Little Sidekick, because those black and white patterns will totally catch a little one's eye. More options? Try Burgandy Bee Handmade,

13. Spoons and Forks (R, USA)- Yeah, this may not seem like the most fun, but you can buy one of the Green Eats sets (or just the spoons!) that will last you for years and they will fit perfectly in a stocking (and a diaper bag). Plus, my 2 year old would say forks and spoons are the most fun toys in the whole world. He loves playing with them.

from little sapling toys

14. Teether (USA, EF)- You have about a billion choices here, so you can get something really cool.  Lifefactory's teethers have been staples in our house when the baby was teething (and he just likes touching the different patterns as well). I would recommend these teethers to anyone. You can teach geography and chewing with Little Sapling Toy's state-shaped teethers, which are basically the coolest thing I've seen. I love these Feltman and Co. ones as well. Begin Again's simple teething ring wins awards and parents' love, so this might make a great gift for your little person! They won't be toothless forever! Manzanita Toys is guaranteed to have something you will love as well.

With Baby Two, I am pretty obsessed with black and white, high contrast stuff, because they really can enjoy it more. I like the cloth bunny teethers in black and white- Kadydid Designs, Pippa Ollie, and Baby Sprouts Co.

from Mom N Daughter Creation

15. Toy and Pacifier Strap (USA)- When your bub is little, you lose toys and cups all the time, they are always throwing them or dropping them, so I think the toy strap makes a lot of sense. I like the name bottle  leash too, so funny! I like this toy strap best, because it is so smart and makes so much sense. Good job Mom N Daughter Creation! Etsy has plenty of options- Henley's Headbands, The Chipped Cup, The Stitched Co, Fawn and Finn, and Clover and Birch.

16. Pacifiers (USA)- Why not just buy things that you actually need? Spoiler alert, your baby will not remember or comprehend their first Christmas, even if they are a whip of a baby. Really you should fill their stocking with cake for you. Some Nuk silcon pacifiers were made here, and they have glowing reviews.The Philips Avent Soothies are made in the US, and they were the only ones we had any luck with

17. Mittens and Hats- Great gifts and fit perfectly in a stocking. Kudos to you if you can make them yourself. My favorite are these mittens using recycled fabric from Gypsy and Lolo.

18. Car Seat Toys- I love these hanging jellyfish. Something for them to swat at.

Fun and Creative

19. Clay (USA)- Sculpey Clay became one of my favorites in my time teaching art to kids. It doesn't dry out easily, so they have time to fiddle, and if they make something they want to keep, you can set it in the oven. You can get packs in all different sizes, including small ones that might fit in a stocking.

from amazon

20. Colored Pencils (R)- I love these colored pencils made out of recycled newspaper instead of wood (they have a mini size for little fingers). They come in cute tubes that would fit perfectly in a Christmas sock!

21. Coloring Books (USA,R)- Not all are made in the USA, so always check, but many still are. You can get ones that are recycled and even teach your kid about environmentalism! This one is my favorite- so cute! My new favorite doing research this year is Wee Gallery's How to Dress a Fox (they have 5 different animals to choose from). These books are so cute, and they are made of recycled paper and soy ink- win! They sell recycled coloring murals too.

This doodle book looks really fun and different as well. This can be a perfect way to work in your little one's favorite character- Barbie, Anna and Elsa, Hello Kitty, Etsy has plenty too, from hymn lyrics to cutesy owls. My dad uses these and magazines to wrap around in the stocking to make it taller/ able to hold even more stuff. I kid you not, he's the master.

from Extra Money for Mommy

22. Crayons (USA,R)- Did you know you can get crayons in any shape ever? Any shape? And they are recycled from all those nubbins you would just throw away? You can get them in your kid's name, seashells, Chocolate Bars, dinosaurs, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I love these eco-friendly crayons too, because they are completely biodegradable. You could also try Honey Sticks which are made of beeswax.

As an aside, when you are in the aisle with the crayons trying to make a pick, Crayola is actually probably your best bet. Stay away from the other brands, most are made overseas. Plus, Crayola is never that much more expensive. So just remember to go with Crayola if you are doing your shopping in Target.

23. Lacing Toys (USA)- Mama Made Them makes sweet whale lacing toys that might be the perfect start for a future sewer. Animal ones like this elephant are fun as well. Maple Landmark also has a set of wooden lacing toys.

from ordinary artists

24. Little Notebooks (USA)- Is there anything with more possibility than a fresh new notebook? I love these little ones from Ordinary Artists that would make perfect stocking stuffers. My beloved Decomposition Books, made from recycled paper and soy ink in the US, would be perfect as well. The Bub loves the little drawings they have on the cover and inside. If your kid is cool or manly, Field Notes has notebook sets as well.

25. Markers (USA, R)- I love Crayola. They actually collect old dried up markers and put them back into use again in their simple marker sets. I love that. I will give them all of my marker budget (larger than you might imagine) forever. Out of the box, perfect fit for a stocking. 

26. Stickers and Temporary Tattoos (USA)- Somebody has Frozen fever? Ok, everyone does. Something about those sisters. If your bub loves Frozen but you don't want to ship your money to China, look into these stickers or these ones.  They can be creative, spice up stuff the kiddo's already own, and many are still made in the US! I have also seen princess and Sofia the First stickers made here.

from Pretty Tape

27. Washi Tape (USA)- I feel like I would have loved these as a kid, and its another gift you could use to spruce up anything! These are fun and different, and open up lots of avenues for creative play that you can still pick up. These mint green ones are adorable.

28. Finger Paint (USA)- I bought finger paint at our local toy store that was made in the US. Simple and fun,

Fun Little Things

from Pearl and Violet

29. Bookmarks (USA, R)- Let's encourage that reading with fun bookmarks! My absolute favorites are from Pearl and Violet, because you can get your favorite characters poking out of your new favorite book! Owl makes bookmarks you can put pictures in out of recycled leather. If you are looking for something you can personalize, or maybe encourage your kids to gift, these plain Made in the USA bookmarks could be decorated to look amazing. Peggy's Passions makes spoon bookmarks that are so cute and can be personalized. My last favorite are Ryan Sheffield's author bookmarks.

from Ornaments 4 Charity

30. Christmas Ornaments (USA)- It would be kind of a cool tradition to put an ornament in their stocking each year that has to do with their year, then they can hang it on the tree. If you want ones made in the USA that also do good, Ornaments 4 Charity (which seems to be one amazing family) makes adorable lego ornaments and gives 100% of the proceeds to charity. So awesome!

I love this little hedgehog one as well, but you can find so many Made in the USA ornaments on Etsy.

31. Dinosaurs(USA)- The USA company that makes little green soldiers also makes dinosaur plastic toys. I personally like the Galaxy Laser Team better.

from Adopt an Alien

32. Key Chains (USA)- I love these Adopt an Alien ones, and I remember really enjoying them as a kid, despite not having any keys.  These squid ones are adorable too. Cookies and popsicles, too! You can find it all.

33. Henna Stencils and Temporary Tattoos (USA)- These are in, and they look like so much fun. You can bring any character in through these things, and you can find lots of adorable ones. Is it inappropriate to give children tattoos? I don't know, but I would put one on my child, so lucky boy.

from Treasured FC

34. Wooden Smart Phones (USA)- These teethers are hilarious, and I think the wooden smart phone might make a great imaginative toy as well.

35. Magic Wands (USA)- I actually think these simple wood magic wands look really pretty and chic unfinished, but decorating them with markers might be fun? Or you can just get to casting spells right away.

Learning Toys

36. Cards (USA)- Bicycle Standard Cards are made here in the US. Classics. Perfect gift for an older child? Time to start learning magic tricks.

37. Puzzles (GU, USA)- You could get puzzles at basically any level and then put them in the stocking broken up. This seems especially cool, because they wouldn't know what they were putting together! This is one you can definitely find in consignment stores for kids, but there are some made in the USA Maple Lamdmark makes a bunch, including this bulldozer, around 15 dollars. For older kids, you can do one of these giant floor puzzles made of recycled materials in the US. For even older kids, you can find puzzles made of all recycled materials- a California map or this Wonderous Ocean One.

38. Sandwich Stackers (R, USA)- I worked briefly at a Chrildren's Museum that had these Green Toys Sandwich Toys, and I couldn't believe just how much the kids loved them from toddlers to older kids playing restaurant.  I think they might fit a stocking perfectly and be that toy you didn't expect to be a hit, but they play with them all the time. So simple. So genius.

39. Spinny Spellers (USA)- These wood toys help new readers to play with letters and words. You can get critter ones for the smaller set.

Soft and Cuddly

from the marmalade forest

40. Eggs and Bacon Octopus (USA)- I love this breakfast monster so much. I am not sure a child would love it, but I would love you for buying this for your child.

41. Pocket Tidbits (USA)- Don't write these little crocheted balls off too quickly. You can also buy them little outfits, so this one may be a huge hit.

42. Safety Cones (USA)- Etsy, you give me faith in the universe. Thank you for these Plush Engineer safety cones.

43. Sloth Plushies (USA)- Because I hear sloths are the meaning of Christmas. I kid, but these are cute. Also from Plush Engineer, because this store is a treasure.

from Anns Craft House

44. Soft Game Controller (USA)- Another winner. The Boy is already training The Bub to sit and use the other controller while he plays. I am sure that's not developmentally sound, but these soft versions are cute.

45. Stuffed Elephant, Bunny, or Zebra (FT,R)- These little stuffed animals are exceptionally cute, and they help support women get good jobs in Malawi. Another cute little way to do good with your Christmas shopping!

from Fuzzigles

46. Puffy Balls of Awesome (USA)-  If I were buying stuffed animals for my kids for Christmas, these Fuzzigles are what I would (actually, probably will) pick. It's hard to pick a favorite.

Stuff that Moves

from amazon

47. Elephant on Wheels (EF, R, USA)- Made out of recycled plastic milk jugs (and saving TONS of energy. I didn't even realize how much), this Green Toy on wheels could be a perfect gift for someone without great hand eye dexterity (I love the pig and turtle as well). A good second Christmas stocking stuffer.

48.  Matchbox Cars (USA)- Bad news, Hot Wheels are not great for the environment, much like their regular-sized car counterparts. That doesn't mean you can't find other ice cream trucks and race cars made stateside! And TONS of used Hot Wheels are out there. I love these little Maple Landmark cars. Holgate also makes wood cars that are adorable and local. Green Toys sells adorable racecars (including a pink one!), but it might cramp the stocking- I would recommend these smaller cars instead.

49. Yoyos (USA)- Another classic gift. I never got good at a yoyo, but if your child is older than 2, he or she is already more coordinated than I am.

50. Tops (USA)- I can't remember being too psyched about tops when I was a kid, but these simple ones from Maple Landmark might be just the kind of challenge that makes the holiday fun. A throwback in a good way.

Making Noise

from Amazon

51. Kazoos (USA)- Gah, I love a good kazoo. A staple at my Grammy's house, and my Grammy is the grand poobah of gifting. You can get this one from West Music for 90 cents!

52. Percusion Blocks (USA)- I don't know why you would buy a percussion block for your own child, but maybe to stick in your enemies' childrens' stockings? Evil Santa Claus?

53. Slide Whistle (EF)- This slide whistle, birthed in Gerrmany, will perfectly fill the need for making lots of annoying noise in an eco-friendly cacophany of annoying. Once, we played Reading Rainbow in a talent show on slide whistles. It is my Christmas wish that your children can enjoy a similar moment (we were in our 20's).

54. Train Whistle (USA)- Toot toot! This whistle is perfect for the Thomas-lover you spawned. Maple Landmark makes one too.

Practical Stuff

 

from Pumpkin Bowties

55. Hair Clippies (USA)- You can find a million hair things on Etsy made by a person with their own little business. You can buy your children hair stuff for little money. Here are some hair clips and hair bows like these from Masterpieces of Fun Art. Sparkly hair ties. Lots of sparkly hair ties. Minion Hair Ties. Frozen hair ties. Disney hair clippies.

56. Nail Clippers (USA)- My Mother in Law gives nail clippers in stockings every year. Genius, because nail clippers seem to disappear so quickly. I don't know where they go, but you never find them. You can start the tradition early with these baby clippers. For bigger kids, bigger clippers.

57. Sippy Caps (USA)- We got these caps this Christmas to add to our Lifefactory bottles, which you already know I am obsessed with. If you are getting to the sippy cup phase, think about going glass or recycled!

58. Socks (USA, R)- Solmate Socks are my favorite. We just bought a set for the bub (they come in sets of 5. How cute is that? Perfect fun socks to put in a stocking. We recently became huge fans of Pact socks as well.

59. Toothbrush (R, USA)- Preserve makes toothbrushes out of recycled plastic. They are completely beloved by our toddler, so this may seem like a bummer gift, but I think it makes a lot of sense. If you have a truly little little one, the banana toothbrush was also well-loved here. If you are trying to make gifting about things your child needs, not just what they want, this could be a good step.

Re-Play from Amazon

60. Snack Containers (R, USA)- Maybe fill these absolutely wonderful replay Snack Stacks with other treats to gift them? Like put some candy  or another surprise inside? Mix red and green for a festive feel. Then you will have snack containers and cut down on wasteful zip loc bags. Win!

Lastly, BUY YOUR CANDY LOCAL!!! America still has tons of candy companies working in the US, so there is no reason to buy those Hershey kisses made in Elsewhere. Buy less candy, but buy good candy. I hope you found lots of inspiration for your stockings here!

If you are interested in green shopping inspiration, check out the List of Shopping Lists! You can transform your shopping this Christmas!

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10 Moments You Have Living Far Away from Home Longterm

1. The first 24 hours of a visit, where everyone has forgotten how annoying you are and seem genuinely happy to see you- When we get back, our niece and nephew are so excited, because they know we will play with them. They forget all the times we have to leave or we just want to sit and talk to their grandma. A lot of our personality sins (lateness, crazy schedules, know-it-alls, eventually getting tired at Simon Says) are temporarily forgotten in the warm light of memory. This visit has the potential to be the best yet (vacations work the same way- the first 24 hours are almost always the best), and this is one of the nicest parts of living far away. 

2.The last 24 hours of a visit, where everyone is sick of your bullshit and wants to get back to their normal life-We leave our shit everywhere, we are always on the run (though in our defense, if you want our undivided attention, you know where to find us the other 47 weeks of the year), and we are never around when we are supposed to be.  We are a weird kind of visitor, because we used to be familiar, but we are still visitors, disrupting the usual routine. By the end of trips, we can usually tell people just want their cars/ space/ time back. For the last 3 Christmases, we have said we shouldn't stay so long on the day we leave, because everyone is so solidly sick of us by then. It's a tough balance to find, and when I figure it out, I will let you know.

3. That moment where you call the place you live currently home, but you know it isn't home home- If you can go to the grocery store without anyone asking about a family member or seeing someone you really don't want to see, you aren't home (on the other hand, you could buy any weird thing you want, and your grandma won't find out about it later in the week). 

4. That moment where you meet someone from the same region and are filled with radiant joy- Everytime I see Steelers clothing, I get excited, and who cares about sports. I got even more excited last week to see a Pirates poster in a neighbor's window, because you really have to be from the area to like the Pirates. They don't attract many fair weather fans. In my graduate program, one of my colleagues was from Altoona, and we spent hours waxing poetic and Sheetz hot dogs and Smiley cookies. I am psyched when someone can tell I am from Western PA because of my diction. What you realize when you live away from home is that you still belong to that place, so you connect with people who have similar experiences. I notice this with my Sicilian Father-in-law as well, who has deep and important connections with people who also immigrated from Italy.

This joy is like tenfold when people come to visit. It is the awesomest.Your visits are basically my favorite thing in the world.

5. That moment where you are shocked that some people don't think Red Lobster is the height of fanciness- And on the flipside, when you are telling a family member about that cool restaurant you just went to, and you can see in their eyes they think you are a doushe. And you know they are a little bit right, because you probably would be happier to go back to Red Lobster. Mmm cheddar biscuits.

6. That moment when you realize that you are missing the hard work of being present, and that the person you are looking at has no idea how hard being absent is- I still know that being there all the time has its own work, even if it seems like I have forgotten. It forces you to be consistent, to show up for ALL of the moments that aren't that fun, and to be expected to make food on holidays (eeek). You also can have opinions on the total lack of jobs there, but you don't have to feel personally responsible for growing the city's opportunities (though I wonder how much millenial guilt there is about leaving hometowns). You feel selfish, because we grew up in a space where you take care of the people and places that took care of you, and you aren't participating in that anymore. You want that sometimes boring work, because it makes everything else mean something and what makes communities great, but the entries to this get slimmer as the time grows longer. It is hard to not eventually grow sad and bitter about these things (at least for me, who reads it all as these series of rejections, even if the root of the problem is my own doing), but I am trying to be intentional about that, because I don't want to live with that bitterness forever.

Coming back to your small town feels a little like coming back from the dead every couple of months. This is the sad realization that you weren't really missed.  People have moved on without you. Time has marched on without you. People still miss you, but its like one tiny puzzle piece of their life is gone, and they can mostly live without it. You, on the other hand, spend most of your days feeling like a lone puzzle piece wrongly shuffled into another box.

7. That moment where you realize you may be selfish, but at least you have the courage to make a fool out of yourself basically daily- You find yourself standing at an art opening where a few people are naked but fisherman's hats. Or you spend a Saturday afternoon watching laser light shows set to Motown music in a planetarium. Or you meet someone for Thai food for lunch. Or for the millionth time, you introduce yourself to someone completely new and try to strike up a conversation. When your comfort zone is so far away that all bets are off, and that makes living far away kind of fun and cool.

8. That moment where you can no longer think of a major airport you haven't slept on the floor of- Why have I gotten to Pennsylvania by way of Atlanta? Or Boston? Eventually, you have even seen all the scenic routes, and you have very specific opinions on your favorite airports, primarily based on whether they have a really efficient Jamba Juice, a cool light show, or a Pizza Hut/ Hagen Daaz combo. You also have ones you hate, based on their benches, their weird pretzel smells, or their total lack of moving walkways (I am looking at you Phoenix, what the hell). You know you have lived away from home too long if you know exactly which airports I am referring to.

9. That moment when you walk back into your own space and can really appreciate that you are making a teeny tiny home for yourself- Even if you live many zipcodes away, the home you make feels way better than all that empty spaces in between this transience and home's permanence (sorry Nebraska). Everyone is there, if just in pictures and spirit, and that can be great too. It can be encouraging and exciting to feel like we have our own little thing going on. Plus, this is also the moment you get off the supershuttle, so life is really good.

10.  That moment when you realize, in horror, that unless you do something, your kids may not know their cousins well, they may not ever get to spend Christmas in their own beds, and they may not understand how great it is to grow up in a small town- I grapple with these questions, of what we may be robbing our kids of, all the time. I don't know the answer, except that I am learning day by day that the fact that our family looks different than the ones we grew up in isn't necessarily a bad thing. Growing up in a small town builds a love for tradition, a deep commitment to family and friends, and establishing a strong sense of who you are, but if you have to leave, it can make you feel all the more vulnerable out in the world. It's a tricky question for sure, and if you know the answer, let us know.

I know this comes off as negative, but it really is just being honest about a state of living I know a lot of people have been stuck in. I am really grateful to have these adventures, but I also miss home so much. Looking forward to being back in PA tomorrow night!

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Throwback Thursday- 40 Quick and Easy Switches for Earth Day

I updated this slightly, because I originally wrote it with the threat of a dead battery looming (brought the wrong cord on a trip- oops!). All the links should work now. 

Today I was so encouraged to see tons of Earth Day posts and calls to treat the environment more kindly! Amen and Truth! The problem? It can be kind of vague- pictures of plants or watering cans, mentions of Leonardo DiCaprio, etc. That certainly has it's place, but it isn't all that specific, and I find specific goals make a lot more traction than abstractions.

This list isn't perscriptive; it is just a starting point for your own ideas and brainstorming. I started this blog because

1. The problems felt so big that there didn't seem to be a good place to start. The more I research, the more this feels like the opposite of the truth, because almost every decision we make in our daily lives can make a positive difference!

2. The resources for more eco-friendly living and shopping seemed scattered or overly radical, and in the end, if we all do a little, it can do just as much as one person doing a lot. So I want you to feel validated and empowered to keep trying, not to feel discouraged that you aren't doing every thing you could. Maybe someday, but trying now matters.

So here are 50 goals you could set to help clean up this world.  Pick 1. Feeling ambitions? Pick two. Take on choices you can sustain and let it grow!

1. Skip the plastic straw- The worst kind of trash that pollutes the water and hurts the sea life in it. They are also completely unnecessary if you aren't a toddler. Just say "No straws, please" when you are ordering your drink.

2. Get Less, Get it Used, Get it Local- Just buy less. So simple, but we all have way more stuff than we need! Yes that toy looks great- don't buy it. Yes, that top is on sale- don't buy it. Just buy less. And when you do need something, try to find it used. If you can't, find it as locally (or made in the US) as possible. You can do it- choices are available! We waste excessive, massive fuel and energy shipping stuff, most of which we don't need.

3. Go Plant Something- Cleaner air and water, better climate. Plant that herb garden you think about. Volunteer and plant a tree in a park. Nowhere to plant? Skip one meal out and donate the money to the Arbor Day Fountain or Plant a Billion Trees.

4.Small is the New Big. Less is the New More- We get the message over and over that we need the newest, biggest, best thing or we won't be happy. But who says? Change your ambitions about stuff- change the world. Pick one thing you are sure needs replaced and ask how you can make what you already have work.

5. Be Eco-Lazy- Don't run the dishwasher or laundry machine until it is totally full. It's not procrastination- it saves energy and water!

we got this table on buy nothing for free! 

6. Join a Buy Nothing or other Local Sharing Group- Buy Nothing Project builds hyper-local communities by creating a venue where people can ask for what they need or offer what they already have, 4 babies other than our own have used our Rock n' Play. That's 4 fewer sold and 4 fewer in the landfill later. I also know ten times as many of my neighbors as I would without it. Buy Nothing is the bomb, and if your neighborhood doesn't have one, take the leap and start one.

7. Recycled Plastic- They say ours is the "plastic generation" and that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Don't add more. You can find many plastic items, from toys to watering cans to pens out of recycled plastic, so don't settle.

8. Collect Water- You can go big and get a rain barrel to catch rainwater, or you can go much smaller and put a bucket in your shower for while our water warms up. Either way, you can water your plants completely with water that would have otherwise gone to waste.

9. Shop the Outside Edge of the Grocery Store- The healthiest and most eco-friendly (see: way less packaging!) food all lives on the outside of your store, where they can keep things cool and not frozen. Healthier than Healthy Choice? Fresh vegetables. Healthier and way less wasteful than the devil's baby snack pouches? An orange.

10. Carpool, Even Once a Week- Do you have public transit nearby? Can you walk to what you need? It may seem silly in less populous areas, but even when you aren't saving time with a carpool lane, you still keep that much less junk out of the air, even if you only do it occasionally.

11. Never Just Throw Away What You Would Buy- If you will spend money on tupperware, why just throw away those plastic yogurt containers? They are the same thing! Why buy cleaning cloths if your used up clothes and towels make perfectly good rags? Try to make the most of what you already have.

12. Quit Impulse Buys- You see it and want to buy it? Don't. It sounds easy, but I know it sometimes isn't. Instead, start a shopping list. When you see something you need "hey, we could use that fan!" put it on the list. You can easily check to see if there are recycled plastic ones (yes, there are) or made in America ones (yep, those too) available. You can also go to your local thrift shops and check there! A better choice is out there if you slow your roll. If an object sits on the list long enough, you know you probably didn't need it- time to move on.

13. Use a Smaller Garbage Can- It sounds crazy, but you throw out less if it accumulates quickly. Sometimes those huge cans make us numb to just how much we toss. What to do with the old can? Make it your recycling! You'll be amazed at how it makes you rethink your garbage strategies.

14. Bring Your Mug to Coffee- Buy a travel mug. Even better, buy an adorable, Made in America travel mug. Then stop getting those little coffee cups that are one time use instant garbage. Most places will put that coffee in your mug, and you could be saving hundreds of pieces of garbage from the landfill a year (depending on the severity of your addiction).

15. Make a List- When you leave to shop, even for groceries, have a plan in mind. This is not my strong suit, but my method of shopping ("hey, this scallop looks good! Hey I think I tried these cookies once!") makes for lots of extra waste.

16. Hello, Vintage- Fast fashion is on its way out. The perfect place to start your clothes shopping is in consignment or vintage stores. Check out Refashionista- you can do a lot with old clothes!

17. Buy Recycled Paper Towels- Why should trees come down for your messes? Try something like Seventh Generation's recycled paper towels instead, and cut down the number of trees that have to be cut down! Need more recycled paper inspiration? Check here.

18. Refurbish Old, Used Furniture- Why does anyone buy a new wood table? You can find tons of them just waiting for a new life. Beautiful, built to last way longer than the Target junk, and it often costs way less. Need a simpler goal? Slipcovers instead of a new couch.

19. Recycle- Seems obvious, but not everyone is doing it. Not available right where you live? Time to check out what your options are.

20. Switch Your Lightbulbs- This blog from Christmas looks into what would be most energy efficient and safe for lightbulbs. Worth it to make the switch.



21. Reusable Water Bottles- Remember when people thought it was a really good idea to build houses out of asbestos? I am certain that's how we will feel avout plastic water bottles- you pay for something you can get for free, so almost cartoonishly evil companies like Nestle (I kid you not, they are really that bad) can steal it, pit it in toxic and wasteful containers, and sell them to the public. Buy one water bottle to hold all your water and kiss one time use plastic bottles off forever.

22.No More Palm Oil- Horrible for the rainforests and our planet's biodiversity, but apparently great for shampoo, because it is in so many of them. Look out for palm oil and help contain the ripping down of the rainforest.

23. Use Natural Light- Don't turn on the lights unless you actually need to. Simple and pretty!

24. Use Reusable Bags! Plastic grocery bags make no sense and create so much of that waste our children and grandchildren will be desperate to get out of the water. Animals are mistaking them for food, and they keep finding washed up whales and other animals with stomachs full of plastic bags. Is the convenience worth it? I don't think so. End the cycle now and get reusable bags. If you forget them (I get it, we all have our days) opt for paper. But no more plastic bags.

25. Skip the Plastic Produce Bags- While we are at it, you are going to wash those asparagus anyway, so just keep one reusable bag open for all of your produce (the one exception might be jalapeno), and wash it all when you get home. I promise your oranges won't get their taste on your apples. Those little plastic bags are ridiculous. If you do want to separately bag your produce, you could use something like these.

26. Stop Your Unwanted Mail- You can do this! Lots of sites and numbers will help put a stop to all of that junkmail, and that's good for your sanity and your household's overall use of paper. Save the Earth, stick it to Oriental Traders, kind of makes sense.

27. No More "Made in China"- Could you go a week without buying anything made overseas? How about a year? Try taking the challenge or at least cut down! Made in China feels inevitable, but it rarely is, and it wastes resources, almost guarantees mistreated workers, and is not so great for our economy. You should get to travel all over the world; your stuff should be from nearby.

28. Cut Down on Your Meat- Meat, especially beef, is responsible for a shocking amount of our water and energy consumption as a country. I would never ask you to give up your hamburgers (The Boy might leave me) but maybe only once a month? Once a week? The less red meat we eat, the better we will feel, so it is a big bonus for you as well.

29. Don't Toss It- Donate It!- Just because it is junk to you doesn't mean it is to someone else! Faded toys, pilled clothes, janky old furniture- they might be just the ticket for someone else. Set a really wide net for what counts as part of your donate pile.

30. Buy One More Food Item Locally- Even better if it is something fresh and seasonal. But much like our stuff, our food is traveling way too far. Every mile it goes, someone takes it there, so whatever you can find made nearby is much better for the environment. Sometimes easier said than done, but you might by surprised at your find and you can definitely save local jobs!

31. No More Dryer Sheets- Use the 1000 times over reusable dryer balls instead. If you have toddlers, they can thank me later.

32. Switch (even partially) to Cloth Diapers- If you do one cloth diaper a day, you will save 365 diapers in a year. Multiple that by the number of years in the diaper, and you have saved 1000 diapers from going to a landfill.

33. Cloth Napkins and Washclothes-Cut down on those paper products that work just as well in a cloth version. We use them pretty regularly at our house, but still have recycled paper napkins for company as well.

34. Write one Business a Letter- Noticed a company, restaurant, store, or business not really up to enbironmental schedules. Stand your ground and let companies know what they are doing isn't right and needs to be addressed. The more they get the feedback that you are paying attention .

35. Turn Your Computer Off at Night-One of the one's I am going to start trying. It sucks energy, you should just turn it off.

36. Pick a Environmental Organization and Donate Something- Can't afford it? Sign up for their mailing list and sign their petitions.They can use your signature as well as your money.

from factcoexist.com

37. Think about How Far your Stuff Travels- Have you seen those maps that chart all the trips someone has taken in a year? Imagine that, but with every item you buy in a year. What would the map look like? Never thought about it? Check out this link.

38. Go meet your neighbors- Fostering community is good for your life, good for everyone around you, and good for the environment. The more we feel we belong to this world, the more likely we are to get involved.

39.Change your Toothbrush- No more plastic toothbrushes! Those plastic brushes are bound for the garbage as soon as you take them out of their excessive public packaging, they are already waiting for the bin. I love Preserve's recycled brushes and Tiny Yellow Bungalow's bamboo option. Simple switch, huge difference! Especially if you stick with it!

40. Travel Sustainably- Bring your own shampoo and conditioner, so you can skip those stupid tiny bottles. Buy all of your souvenirs made in the place you are at. This can be crazy to find, but I am sure you can handle it. I have faith in you.

Is this all common sense stuff? Yes, but it doesn't mean we are doing it! No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. For Earth Day, let's all admit we can do more and pick one more goal to clean this Earth up! And what a wonderful Earth it is!

Want to step up your eco-shoppung? Check out my Mega list of Lists for tons more shopping inspiration.

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